The Howard Manifesto

So, I've been thinking a lot about Jeremy's upcoming surgery.  We're one week away today.  This will be Jeremy's first surgery ever and hopefully his last.  He's already said he's afraid of the surgery, but afraid of cancer even more.  So, we are both peacefully awaiting this surgery.  I choose peacefully awaiting.  Part of me wants to say anxiously awaiting, but a bigger part of me is choosing peace.  That brings me to the Howard Manifesto.

About a week ago, I began searching for a gift idea for Jeremy.  Something to give him the day before surgery that will lift his spirits and boost his enthusiasm for "the fight".  I found myself on the LIVESTRONG website, since Jeremy has taken an understandable interest in this "gear".  I thought I'd find an inspiring poster to frame for his office... something to wear... or read.  I came upon the LIVESTRONG Manifesto.  I read it and loved the idea of it.  I loved how empowering and real it was.  The only thing missing in it was real truth.  The source of our strength for the fight is not from us, although indeed inside of us -- it's God's Holy Spirit.  So, I prayed and reflected on how far we've come and how much we've grown since that day in mid-November, when we received Jeremy's diagnosis.  How from the very beginning of our journey - never alone- God revealed his plan, and continues to do so, step by step, day by day.  As I reflected on how he has led us in this trial, I saw revealed, a clear, God-inspired, Howard Manifesto.
You, like my mother when I told her about it, may be thinking "do you really know what a manifesto is?"  Well, to be sure I did, I looked it up.  It's a public declaration of intentions.  Usually of a prince, sovereign or other person claiming large powers ('Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.' John 1:12), showing his intentions or proclaiming his opinions and motives in reference to some act done or contemplated by him; as, a manifesto declaring the purpose of a prince to begin war, and explaining his motives.

We are children of God, the King of Kings.  These are our intentions and motives in reference to our war on cancer:

We believe in God
The Living God, who offers new life, through Jesus Christ.
We believe in loving God with every ounce of our being - heart, soul, mind and strength.  Come what may.
We believe God gives us strength beyond our own capabilities to do all things.  
To overcome the enemy and his plans to destroy us with cancer.
We serve the I Am.  No matter what.
Because nothing gets by Him.  
He was with us when cancer took residence in Jeremy's body -
Preparing us to handle the knowledge of the evil one's plans.
The I Am is with us, when we bring him our cowardly strength and he transforms us into Mighty Warriors.
In Him, we have the ability to handle the hard stuff.
Like talking about cancer.
Accepting the tears, acknowledging the fears, and not allowing any of it to become our focus.
Our focus remains on God.  Carrying our cross and following Jesus.  
Fighting the fight with His strength.  A strength that is destined to WIN.
This is the Howard Manifesto.

I had this manifesto printed in a small photo book for Jeremy.  It arrived on Monday.  I loved how it turned out, and of course I couldn't wait until surgery day to give it to him.  So, last night after celebrating our daughter's third birthday, and cleaning up all of her gifts... I gave Jeremy his.  He loves it.  Now, I'm back at square one.  What to give him on surgery day...